Lyons opens public consultation on Active Ageing Strategy Action Plan
Date published:
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons is encouraging people to have their say on a new action plan aimed at helping older people across Northern Ireland live active, healthy and independent lives.
The Active Ageing Strategy Action Plan, which supports delivery of the Active Ageing Strategy to 2032, sets out a range of actions across government to deliver the Strategy’s objectives of promoting independence, participation, wellbeing and inclusion, helping older people remain active and connected within their communities. With Northern Ireland's population continuing to age, it sets out practical actions to help older people remain healthy, independent and connected to their communities for longer.
Launching the consultation on the action plan, Minister Lyons said:
"I know the importance of supporting people to live well as they grow older and creating communities where everyone can participate, contribute and live actively to their fullest potential.
“Through this new action plan, we want to help ensure that Northern Ireland is a place where everyone can look forward to later life with confidence, dignity and opportunity.”
The action plan complements the Department’s wider work to support people as they age. Actions support key departmental and Executive priorities, including tackling fuel poverty, improving housing conditions, enabling older people to live independently, supporting employment and employability, and improving financial security.
The Minister added:
“This consultation provides an opportunity for everyone to help shape how the Northern Ireland Executive and my Department, working with partners across government, the voluntary and community sector, and local communities, will support active ageing in the years ahead.
“I want to hear views on how we can create more age-friendly communities and ensure older people continue to have opportunities to participate, contribute and thrive. Together, we can build a future where growing older means continuing to have choice, independence and a valued place in our communities.”
The public consultation is open now and runs until 4 January 2027. The Department will be running information sessions in Craigavon, Londonderry, Enniskillen, Ballymena and Belfast.
For more information, including access to the consultation document, please visit: Active Ageing Action plan.
Notes to editors:
- The Active Ageing Strategy, which has been extended to until 2032, and this new action plan are based around six strategic objectives with associated actions:
• Older people live independently for as long as they can, free from poverty and in suitable, safe homes (Promote Healthy and Independent Living).
• Older people are involved in their family and community and in civic life (Strengthen Social Connections).
• Older people are healthier for longer (Promote Healthy and Independent Living).
• Older workers remain in employment for as long as they wish or need to (Enable Participation, Contribution, and Lifelong Learning).
• Older people participate in cultural, educational and physical activity (Create Age-Friendly Places and Services).
• Older people’s dignity and human rights are effectively safeguarded (Reduce Inequalities and Support Those Most at Risk).
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